After years of wrangling, the third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport was officially opened in 2008. However, the controversy continued. Looking forward to 2009, two light-rail stations are set to open near the airport.

Progress was made on North Highline annexation but the issue promises to be on the front burner again in the new year.

Here's a month-by-month look at what made news in Highline during 2008.

January

Tukwila began its yearlong centennial celebration with an event on the top floor of the new Olympic parking garage at Westfield Southcenter shopping center.

Des Moines announced plans for what may be the single largest retail/residential development ever in the Highline area. The SSI Pacific Place project would revitalize the crime-plagued Pacific Ridge area along Pacific Highway South.

Burien City Council members directed City Manager Mike Martin to draw up a recommendation for a potential annexation area that would not encompass all of North Highline.

Despite concerns about parking at a local Muslim mosque, SeaTac lawmakers voted to allow nonprofit organizations to share parking.

February

After 50 years in Burien, Jorstad Jewelers closed its doors. Owner Denny Clarke said he would retire because of the high costs of running a business and the changing character of Burien's downtown.

Burien lawmakers got their first glimpse of plans for a new Burien Community Center. A new facility would be built at the same location at Southwest 146th Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest.

Petitions bearing more than 600 signatures were submitted to the Des Moines City Council on Valentine's Day urging lawmakers to keep the marina launch.

The Community Schools Collaboration expanded its programs to include SeaTac and White Center after winning a national award for its success in Tukwila.

Chris Wedes made history in Des Moines by appearing out of his J.P. Patches costume and makeup. Wedes, a Seattle kiddies-show icon as Patches, spoke at a Des Moines Historical Society event.

Burien council members gave a unanimous thumbs down to a state legislative bill that would have given Seattle more money than Burien for annexing North Highline.

Tim St. Clair, who reported for the West Seattle Herald/ White Center News for nearly 20 years, died of pancreatic cancer. St. Clair, 57, also contributed articles to the Times/News.

March

A fund was set up to aid the Buckley family, whose rented home behind Sylvester Middle School was destroyed in a fire.

Sound Transit accepted a $20 million cost increase for its airport/ SeaTac city center light-rail station. Officials said they were anxious to get the station open by Dec. 2009, in time for the start of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver B.C.

Highline School board members heard a consultant's report on the physical conditions of its buildings in anticipation of asking voters to approve a third construction bond. Des Moines Elementary was listed as the current school most in need of replacement or repairs.

The Port of Seattle decided to go ahead with plans for a consolidated rental car facility at South 160th Street and International Boulevard. Construction would mean additional haul trucks on Highline highways.

Burien officials pressed for mediation on North Highline annexation after the state Senate refused to give Seattle a special tax credit. Seattle officials threatened to drop annexation plans.

Highline suffered a sad double loss when community activists Rita Creighton and Jeanne Pfeifer died within one day of each other.

State Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park) announced she would not seek re-election after serving in the legislature for a decade.

Proximity to an international airport and downtown Seattle, affordable land, and cooperative municipal leaders were the key attributes of Southwest King County touted to developers and investors during an economic forum in SeaTac. Following the forum, participants were given a bus tour of 12 potential development sites in the area.

April

Customers and family honored Art Pearson of Burien, the nation's oldest Fuller Brush salesman, on his 90th birthday.

The Burien City Council received a staff recommendation for annexation of the southern portion of North Highline. If annexed, the area would add 14,350 residents and 2.7 square miles to the city.

A King County town hall meeting on animal shelters held at Burien's Highline Performing Arts Center began on a warm and fuzzy note with an adoption fair but developed into a lengthy meeting with sharply divided opinions expressed.

SeaTac lawmakers opted out of a proposal to annex the Boulevard Park neighborhood. A consultant told council members that SeaTac could face a $1 million deficit if it took on the area.

May

The Burien Farmers Market opened for the season at its new location in Olde Burien.

Jack Bermingham was promoted from interim president to president of Highline Community College in Des Moines.

As expected, Burien council members called for the annexation by election of the southern portion of North Highline. Voters in the proposed annexation area would decide whether they wanted to join Burien.

Arson was determined to be the cause of a fire that destroyed the former Angle Lake school in SeaTac.

June

The Des Moines Waterfront Market opened while the city held an open house to unveil drawings by University of Washington students of plans to revitalize the city's downtown and marina.

The Highline Foundation for Excellence honored five outstanding individuals in education with Gold Star awards.

Sam Green, the state's first poet laureate, was named Highline College's 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award winner.

On the same weekend, Burien held its annual Strawberry and Arts Festival and SeaTac celebrated its International Festival.

Highline College's Marine Science and Technology Center (MaST) in Redondo was formally dedicated.

An arson fire at the Tara and Jenny Marie apartments in Burien killed three people. They were identified as Edgar Omar Cisneros, 8; his grandfather, Ramon Cisneros, 77; and Lindy Kunimoto, 49.

July

A deal to provide affordable housing at the Lora Lake Apartments on the edge of the third runway fell through after significant soil contamination was found at the property. Burien officials said the "most pad-ready spot" in the city's northeast development area would be used for airport-related businesses.

Westfield Southcenter shopping center in Tukwila celebrated a grand reopening with 75 new stores, making it the largest indoor mall in Washington and Oregon.

Highline Medical Center held a groundbreaking for its new emergency room facility and patient care unit.

Work began on Burien's new transit center.

August

After a two-year search, ChoralSounds Northwest named Dave Spring as its permanent director. The Burien-based choral group performs two concerts a years a year at the Highline Performing Arts Center.

State Sen. Margarita Prentice and Juan Martinez advanced to the general election in the 11th District after prevailing in the August primary. South Park attorney Scott McKay was eliminated in a race between three Democrats.

Tina Orwall and Todd Gibson moved on to the general election in the race to replace state Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, who retired from her 33rd District post.

Burien withdrew its request to annex the southern portion of North Highline because of procedural problems with the King County Boundary Review Board.

September

The Highline YMCA officially broke ground for its new facility in SeaTac.

Highline school board members accepted Westmark Development's request to withdraw its proposal to buy or obtain an easement for a roadway to the proposed Emerald Pointe condominiums. Neighbors had pressured the board to deny the easement but the developer's consultant said the condos would still be built.

The Ruth Dykeman Children's Center filed to rezone two portions of its property bordering Lake Burien for moderate density residential and high-density multi-family neighborhood. Lake residents testified against the request.

Burien council members postponed a decision to move the city's parks department to the current library site. Lawmakers said they wanted to give arts organizations time to figure out where to relocate. The library will be moving to the Town Square.

Tukwila churches, along with other groups, gathered at Fort Dent Park to voice support for the Duwamish Tribe's attempts to be officially recognized as a tribe.

After two decades of controversy, the first jet touched down on the third runway for a test run.

Puget Sound-based developer Tarragon was picked over Legacy Partners as the developer of the Tukwila Village mixed-use project.

Olympic medal winner Jill Kintner returned to her home BMX track at North SeaTac Park to be honored.

October

After nearly 40 years in Burien, BBC Dodge got out of town by terminating its franchise. BBC Auto continues to sell used vehicles at the location

Des Moines officials began exploring ways to make up a projected $2.9 million budget shortfall for 2009.

Former Tukwila mayor Steve Mullet was honored as the first recipient of Foster High's Alumni Hall of Fame.

Joe Brennan, who had served on the SeaTac City Council since the city's incorporation in 1989, died at his home after battling a long-term illness.

Highline schools officials decided to postpone placing a construction bond measure on the March 2009 ballot. Staffers cited an economic downturn for the decision.

Mt. Rainier Pool supporters packed a Des Moines City Council meeting after hearing the city may terminate the pool's contract.

SeaTac Council members said no to pawn shops in the city but yes to a business park on the old Boulevard Park school site.

November

Due to a declining economy, the second phase of the Town Square project was delayed. About one-third of the Phase One condos have been sold, developers reported.

Dick Dahlgard-"Mr. Burien" to many-died suddenly of cardiac arrest. Dahlgard, 73, was the former owner of Dick's Camera and a long-time community leader.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department will replace its two stations after voters approved the first construction bond in the department's 80-year history.

State Sen. Margarita Prentice and Tina Orwall won their legislative races on the Nov. 4 general election.

The Highline area will receive three new light rail stations following approval of Sound Transit's proposition in the general election.

The third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport officially opened. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, acting FAA administrator and Washington governor in attendance at the opening ceremony.

The Burien Planning Commission voted to recommend Ruth Dykeman Children's Center's modified rezoning request. The request would allow moderate-density single-family residences on the lake.

December

Highline residents were urged to celebrate the Christmas season locally. Officials said the area hosts several holiday productions and shopping opportunities.

Local food banks reported they are serving more customers but receiving fewer donations.

Residents under the new flight path for the third runway expressed outrage at the apparent heavy use of the runway.

Burien and Seattle reached a preliminary agreement on proposed North Highline annexation. Under the proposal, Seattle would consider annexation of the northern portion, including White Center.

Initial funding was announced for a trail from Lake Washington through Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and Des Moines to Puget Sound.

The Port of Seattle voted to temporarily suspend construction of a consolidated rental-car facility at South 160th Street and International Boulevard.

The Highline area was hard hit by winter snow and freezing temperatures.